A pillow is where you spend a third of your life. Make sure you pick the right one for you. Choosing the right pillow will help you get a good night’s sleep and prepare for the day ahead. It’s time to find out if your existing pillow is the partner of your dreams or if you should get rid of it.
The quality of the sleep we get is essential. However, most people don’t pay attention to one of the most important things that affect how well they sleep: modifying and replacing their old pillows. The best cushion can be a source of comfort during the night, but it can wear and tear even if washed and cared for properly.
How often should you get new pillows? It would help if you changed your pillows every year or two, but this can change based on a few things. It’s important to know when you need to change your pillows and how long does pillow last.
When It Comes to Pillows, How Long Do They Last?
The longevity of a pillow is determined by its fill quality, how often it is used, and how well it is cared for and laundered. Pillows typically endure between 18 months and 3 years, with low-quality pillows lasting considerably less.
Buy cheap, buy twice, as the adage goes. Most pillows survive between one and two years before needing to be changed. However, different varieties of pillows have varying lifespans.
- Polyester or Down Alternative: A polyester fiber cushion or a synthetic down pillow is the most frequent and least expensive option. They often last for a period of one to two years.
- Polyfoam: It is recommended that polyfoam pillows be replaced every two to three years.
- Memory Foam: Solid memory foam pillows, like polyfoam pillows, often last two to three years.
- Latex: Polyfoam and memory foam pillows are frequently less durable than latex cushions. Two to four years is about how long latex pillows last.
- Down or Feather: A pillow consisting of down feathers or a mixture of these natural materials will endure between one and three years.
If you want to extend the life of your pillow, there are a few things you can do. Keep an eye out for symptoms of wear and tear so that you may replace your pillow as necessary.
When Should Your Pillow Be Replaced?
It’s difficult to tell when to replace your pillow unless you wake up with aches if your cushion is lumpy. As for pillow’s age, they lose their ability to provide enough support, putting pressure on your neck.
This might cause back problems and make it difficult to get a decent night’s sleep. You can use the saddlebag and push test to determine whether your pillow’s time is up.
If you consistently wake up sneezing, consider switching to an anti-allergy pillow. A non-allergenic cushion is more resistant to dust mites, which are a typical cause of allergies and asthma all year. Choosing an easy-to-clean cushion will also help you keep your pillow free of dirt and dust.
Reasons to Replace Your Pillows
Your pillows are not supposed to endure forever. Over time, even the most excellent pillows fade out and may become a breeding place for allergens. It is recommended that you replace your pillows every two years to provide optimal head and neck support and good sleeping habits.
Promotes Hygiene
Your pillows absorb your sweat, hair, saliva, moisturizer, and dead skin cells. Even if you have a pillowcase, it might not be enough to keep you safe. Mold, fungus, and other allergens may form due to these fluids and flakes, resulting in a foul odor. The odor can be removed by washing your pillows and pillow covers. However, the allergens are not always removed.
Reduces Allergies
They can grow and multiply in the beds because they eat dead skin cells and like warm, humid places.
It isn’t dangerous for dust mites to live in your home, but they can make your eyes water and your throat itchy, and they can make you sneeze, cough, and have trouble breathing in people who have allergies. Over time, these symptoms can worsen, making it hard to sleep.
Researchers at the University of Manchester found 16 types of molds in one pillow in 2005. When they did their study, Dust mites aren’t the only thing living in your pillows. There may be a whole lot more living there, too. Replace your pillows every few months to keep allergens from building up.
How To Maintain Your Pillows
Your pillows, like all other bedding accessories, require maintenance. Proper care can extend the life of your pillow by several years.
Check the instructions on your pillow’s care label to ensure you don’t ruin it while cleaning or drying it. Not all pillows can be washed in the machine or by hand. Some items will require dry cleaning or spot cleaning.
Washing
You should wash your pillows once every four to six months in hot water if they can be washed by machine. The high temperature of the water kills the allergens that are growing in your pillows. Pillows filled with either real down or synthetic down substitutes can be washed.
Instead of using harsh detergent, try using a mild detergent to clean your pillows. Ensure that you don’t wash your pillows with other clothes or bed linens! You don’t have to worry about overfilling your machine if you put two pillows in at a time.
Drying
Your pillows can be tumble-dried on a low heat setting in your dryer or air-dried on a clothesline. You can put the pillows inside your pillow covers once they are dehydrated and have no signs of moisture on them. Moisture can be harmful to your pillows since it promotes mold formation.
Pillow Cases
Pillowcases protect your pillows and make them look nice at the same time. They come with your bedsheets as part of a whole set most of the time. You can use waterproof pillow protectors to keep your pillows safe.
The pillow protectors can be put on top of your pillowcases. While your pillowcases complement your sheets, making your bed look nice, the pillow protector underneath stops moisture from getting into the pillow.
Once every three to four weeks, you can clean your pillowcases and protectors unless they say otherwise on the care tag.
Also Read: How to Wash a Pillow in 3 Steps and Guide
Invest in the Right Pillow
Your pillow may not be providing enough support if you wake up in pain or have a hard time sleeping. Invest in a pillow that accommodates your preferred sleeping posture, whether you prefer to sleep on your back, front, or side.
Extend your Pillow’s Life
Most pillows should be replaced every 18 months to 3 years. You may extend the life of your pillow by purchasing a high-quality pillow and adding a zipped pillow protector.
Tielle pillows are designed to match the high-end sleep requirements of 5* hotels and can last up to three years – or 1,000 sleeps! A pillowcase cover will also help keep your pillows free of yellow stains.
Making Your Pillows Last Longer
Add a pillow protector to your pillow to make it last longer and make it more comfortable. A soft cotton zipped pillow protector will better protect your pillow from odor, stains, and dust mites than an envelope-style pillow protector.
Cotton is also breathable and quiet, unlike many synthesized pillow protectors that make a lot of noise when they’re being used.
You can wash many natural fill pillows in the washing machine at 40 degrees and tumble dry them on a low setting until they are dehydrated. Still, you should always follow the manufacturer’s pillow washing instructions first.
If I can’t Repurpose My Pillow, How Can I Get Rid of it?
Sometimes a pillow approaches the end of its useful life and cannot be repurposed. We’ll go over a few ways to get rid of old pillows, so they don’t take up space in your home.
Donate to an Animal Shelter:
Donate your old pillows to an animal shelter in your area. Other charities may not approve old blankets and pillows because of their wear and tear, but they can provide warmth and comfort to animals in need at local shelters.
Donate to a Charity:
Other philanthropic organizations may also take pillows as donations. Keep in mind that most charities will only accept clean, untarnished pillows in good condition.
Dispose at the Landfill:
A landfill is an option if you cannot donate your pillow to a charitable cause. Pillows can be disposed of quickly by placing them in a trash can. If you don’t have enough room in your garbage bin, you may have to take your pillow to the next landfill.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of pillow is the most durable?
Latex pillows tend to last longer than other pillows, like down or bamboo pillows. Because Dunlop latex is made of pure latex serum, a material that lasts a long time, it is the most resilient type of latex.
Latex pillows stay vital for a long time compared to other pillows. Make sure to look at pillows made with Dunlop latex if you want a long-lasting pillow that is also durable.
How can you know if a cushion is of good quality?
It can be hard to find a good one when you go pillow shopping. Checking the material is an excellent first step. Some good pillows can be made of natural latex and down, but they are made of very different things. This is why one lasts longer than the other.
Another good sign that a pillow is good is if it comes with a guarantee. Warranties are not given out for free. They are only given out when a company is sure their product works.
Is sleeping without a pillow a wise idea?
Sleeping without a pillow can be very comfortable when resting on your stomach. On the other hand, stomach sleeping is a dangerous sleeping position that should be avoided. As a result, you should avoid sleeping flat without a pillow, resulting in neck pain.
Pillows provide neck and head comfort while sleeping; if you don’t have a pillow, you won’t be able to sleep. So, while sleeping without a pillow may feel comfortable at first, it will cause pain in the long term.
Is it better to have just one pillow or two?
Contrary to popular belief, you should only sleep with one pillow beneath your head. This pillow should be thick and supportive of maintaining good posture and preventing neck pain.
Some people will benefit from utilizing body, knee, or wedge pillows in addition to head cushions. Particularly for side sleepers, body and knee pillows positioned between the legs can help maintain the spine aligned, reducing stress on the back and hips.
A wedge pillow can assist back sleepers in maintaining an inclination while sleeping, improve airflow, and reduce snoring.
What causes the yellowing of old pillows?
Sweat accumulation is the most prevalent cause of yellow pillows. Sweat can seep through your pillowcase daily, causing a yellow tinge as it dries.
Yellowing might happen even if you use a pillow protector between your pillow and pillowcase. If your pillows have yellow stains, it’s time to replace them.
Conclusion
People typically think of the mattress and bedding items for good sleep. The pillows are sometimes disregarded, although they serve a critical role in improving sleep quality.
It is critical to keep them clean and supportive to get a good night’s sleep. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on our pillows for symptoms of wear and replace them as soon as feasible.
While replacing pillows is required, it might be a chore we put off and dread, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t necessary. When it’s time to replace your pillow, choose a high-quality, long-lasting option. Once you’ve found a comfy and supportive pillow, you’ll want to make sure you take good care of it.
Ensure to wash your pillows every few months and cover them with a pillowcase. Following these suggestions may help you extend the life of your pillow, but keep in mind that if your pillow is old and rough, it is no longer beneficial to you or your night’s sleep.
For a better night’s sleep, better cleanliness, and a better night’s sleep, replace your pillows as needed.